Bridge or Organizer

[kabbie]

I just upgraded from PSE4 to CS2. I have all my photos and scrapbook supplies organized and tagged in the Organizer. I am trying to decide how/if I should switch to Bridge. Would I be missing out on something if I just continued to use Organizer? If I want to use Bridge, how do I import all my categories and tags? It seems like I need to choose one or the other as it would be too difficult to maintain both. Any suggestions?

[troush]

I don't have the Bridge, but you can use the Organizer with CS2. I think if you edit preferences, you can specify an "alternate" editor from the Organizer and point it to CS2. Bridge doesn't keep a database like Organizer, so it has to read each image everytime it opens it. So, to keep your tags, you'd have to "Write Tags to File" from organizer.

For looking at images quick, go with Bridge, for organizing, tagging, etc, stay with Organzier.

-Trish

[jaklouie]

I recently upgraded from pse3 to cs2, also, and still trying to decide whether to use bridge or organizer. My problem, I need to clean up my hard drive and reorganize files/folders -- I know if I do this I'm going to goof up all my connections in organizer. Maybe I'll try the bridge........

[Linda Sattgast]

I use whatever is convenient. It's like Elements 3 was with both the File Browser and the Organizer. You just have to have the Organizer open as well. Keep it minimized until you need it.

While in the Organizer, select the thumbnails you want to open and press Ctrl + H to jump to Photoshop. (Ctrl + I will take you to Elements.)

Just remember to do all your MOVING of photos in Organizer, or they will get disconnected!

[annfield]

I love the Bridge but have already labeled photos in iPhoto. I have just been tossing the ones I need into a desktop folder and using Bridge. I have tons to learn but am loving it. Also get frustrated. Am Delighted for this addition.
Ann

[vkimmycat]

I rarely used Organizer when I used Elements, and I haven't tried Bridge yet with PSCS2. Is it difficult to use?

[Sharon]

As a serious Organizer user, I wasn't sure I'd be too crazy about Bridge, but I've been using it for about six months now and I'm hooked. True, I still jump to my Organizer if I'm looking for a tagged item (and use the CTRL-H to open it in Photoshop), but more often then not, I find I stick with one or two kits per page and if that's the case, Bridge is wonderful to use.

Sharon *Ü*

[Evie]

Bridge is not difficult to use at all. I do the file moving in Organizer and Bridge for opening RAW files.
Eva

[IreneO]

Just one caution about the Bridge. It seem to be a memory hog, so if you don't have a lot of memory (I only have 512 MB) you might want to avoid using it. I find it slows my machine down big-time.

[kabbie]

Thanks for all the helpful information. From the sound of it, most of you continue to use both Bridge and Organizer. Am I correct in assuming that you don't bother with the "keywords" in Bridge and instead rely on Organizer for that kind of organization? I would hate to think of maintaining both keywords (Bridge) AND tags (Organizer). That seems redundant unless I'm missing something. BTW, when I upgraded to CS2, I assumed I would no longer use PSE. Since many of you continue to use the Organizer, do you also continue to use both PSE Editor and CS2?

[Evie]

Kabbie,
I use both, it depends on what I'm trying to do or learn.
Eva

[Patty D]

Be very careful when using "Write tags to file" it will write tags to some files but it will NOT write tags to PNG files which is what most of the elements are. You should get a warning screen on this but I didn't fully read it so it took me a little while to figure it out.

[carlalee]

Be very careful when using "Write tags to file" it will write tags to some files but it will NOT write tags to PNG files which is what most of the elements are. You should get a warning screen on this but I didn't fully read it so it took me a little while to figure it out.
This is the only thing that just drives me NUTS!!! With all of the other programs out that can recognize and tag .PNG files Abode can't (or may be chooses not to) because there is no industry standard. I'm sure hoping this "glich" (IMHO) is taken care of in CS3 when it comes out next year!
-c-